Your Baby at 37 Weeks

A Closer Look at Week 37

At 37 weeks, your pregnancy has officially reached 'Early Term' status. While full term is defined as 39-40 weeks, babies born at 37 weeks generally do very well with minimal medical intervention. The distinction matters because the final weeks of pregnancy bring important finishing touches to brain development, lung maturation, and fat accumulation that can make a meaningful difference to your baby's health and adaptability after birth.

Your baby's lungs are in the final stages of preparation, practising rhythmic inhaling and exhaling of amniotic fluid with increasing regularity. Surfactant production is now in full swing, coating the alveoli and ensuring they will expand properly when the baby takes their first breath of air. The immune system is continuing to receive antibodies from you across the placenta, building a temporary shield that will protect your newborn in the vulnerable first months of life.

You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge this week, which could include the loss of the mucus plug — a thick, gelatinous barrier that has sealed the cervix throughout pregnancy to protect against infection. The mucus plug can come away in a single piece or gradually over several days, and it may be tinged with blood (known as a 'bloody show'). Losing the mucus plug is a sign that the cervix is beginning to soften and dilate in preparation for labour, though it does not necessarily mean labour is imminent — it can still be days or even weeks away.

This is the time to familiarise yourself with the signs of true labour versus Braxton Hicks contractions. True labour contractions are regular, progressively closer together, increasing in intensity, and do not stop when you change position or rest. If contractions are coming every five minutes, lasting 60 seconds each, and have been consistent for at least one hour, it is time to contact your healthcare provider or head to the hospital.